The Aeroscraft, a high-tech prototype airship, rests in a World War II-era hangar on Jan. 24 in Tustin, Calif. Work is almost complete on the 230-foot airship, a prototype for future craft that will slash costs for moving heavy cargo around the world. Jae C. Hong, AP

Bradley Hasemeyer, host of the Translogic Show, uses a smartphone to photograph the Aeroscraft airship at the former Tustin Marine Corps Air Station military base in Tustin. Jae C. Hong, AP

People prepare to work on the airship. Worldwide Aeros Corp. of Montebello is building the airship in the 17-story hangar. Jae C. Hong, AP

Leonel Cruz works on the airship. The huge cargo-carrying airship has a shiny aluminum skin and a rigid, 230-foot aluminum and carbon fiber skeleton. Jae C. Hong, AP

Light reflects off the aluminium skin of the Aeroscraft airship. The airship uses helium to generate lift and can take off and land vertically, so it can operate in areas where planes or other airships can't go. Jae C. Hong, AP

The airship rests in a hanger on Aug. 17, 2012. The $35 million project, funded by NASA and the Pentagon, will develop the next generation of airships for military and commercial use. Don Bartletti, Los Angeles Times, via AP